Bolaji Okunola
While Christmas is widely celebrated across the globe to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, some churches in Nigeria refrain from participating in the holiday.
These churches cite various reasons, including the historical origins of Christmas and a commitment to strict biblical principles. Here are five notable Nigerian churches that do not observe Christmas:
Nigeria Announces Christmas, New Year Public Holidays
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses were once among the largest groups to celebrate Christmas but stopped in 1928 due to the holiday’s connection to “false religious beliefs.”
The group’s official literature, including the 1993 book Jehovah’s Witnesses: Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, states that Christmas has pagan origins and is not endorsed by the Bible.
Consequently, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that if celebrating Christmas were necessary, it would have been instructed in Scripture.
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Seventh-Day Adventists, who observe the Sabbath on Saturday, also abstain from Christmas celebrations.
They argue that since Jesus was not born in December and the Bible does not command celebrating His birth, Christmas is considered a commercialized, pagan event.
Nigeria Announces Christmas, New Year Public Holidays
Although the church permits personal celebrations, it encourages believers to focus on faith and spiritual connection rather than secular traditions.
Deeper Life Bible Church
Under the leadership of Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, Deeper Life Bible Church has refrained from celebrating Christmas for years.
Kumuyi has explained that Christmas customs, including songs and traditions, do not have biblical foundations and are rooted in idolatry.
As a result, the church does not partake in these practices, choosing instead to emphasize biblical teachings.
God’s Kingdom Society (GKS)
Founded in 1934 by St. Gideon Meriodere Urhobo, God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) commemorates the birth of Christ in October, marking it with a celebration called Freedom Day.
The GKS rejects December 25 as the date of Jesus’ birth, viewing it as a product of pagan customs such as the Roman Saturnalia festival.
They believe that the October date better aligns with biblical and historical interpretations.
Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM)
Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), led by Dr. Daniel Olukoya, does not observe Christmas, citing its pagan origins and lack of biblical support.
Dr. Olukoya has publicly condemned the holiday, emphasizing its connection to Roman pagan festivals.
Instead, MFM organizes the “Power Must Change Hands” ceremony at the end of each year, focusing on prayer, deliverance, and spiritual growth in place of traditional Christmas festivities.
These churches represent a diverse range of theological perspectives, but they share the common belief that Christmas, as celebrated in December, does not align with biblical principles.